System for geospatial mapping of cemetery properties

ABSTRACT

A cemetery geospatial mapping system and methods are provided for interactive map-based searching of cemetery properties. The cemetery geospatial mapping system comprises a mapping tools system that includes a component systems package. The component systems package comprises a mapping system that enables end-users to add GPS coordinates to cemetery property records, automates mapping and overlaying of the cemetery properties onto satellite imagery, and enables the end-users to visually interact with information associated with the cemetery properties. A dynamic pricing system uses machine-learning algorithms to analyze data so as to provide the end-users with an optimal price recommendation for each property and unit of inventory. The dynamic pricing system maximizes profits based on predefined characteristics associated with the properties and units of inventory. A host site is stored on an application server system and accessible to the end-users by way of a communications network, such as the Internet.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/290,856, filed Feb. 3, 2016, titled “System forGeospatial Mapping of Cemetery Property,” and U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/295,946, filed Feb. 16, 2016, titled “System forGeospatial Mapping of Cemetery Property,” each of which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The field of the present disclosure generally relates to cemeteryproperty listings. More particularly, the field of the invention relatesto a cemetery geospatial mapping system and methods that provide userswith interactive map-based searching of cemetery property listingswithin the cemetery, cremation, and funeral industries.

BACKGROUND

Cemeteries and different burial places have been contemplated from thebeginning of time. The human race has always desired the best ways torespect and bury their dead. Final disposition preferences have changedover the centuries from primarily full-body casketed burial to theincreasing popularity of cremation. The type of burials too havechanged, with options ranging from full-body casketed burial, full-bodyentombment, cremated remains inurnment, burial or scattering, to moreelaborate forms of burying, enclosing or memorializing the deceased, andthe like.

Today, the most common types of final disposition are cremation andfull-body casketed burial or entombment. In more recent times, cremationhas become increasingly popular. The cremated human remains aretypically placed inside a cinerary urn for permanent storage andpresentation. Typically, urns are inurned at cemeteries inside acolumbarium, mausoleum, inground burial plot, or housed within varioustypes of memorialization product and property. Alternatively, familiesmay choose to scatter the cremated remains or store them at their homeor the like. Alternatively, full-body disposition involves the burial orentombment of a full body; and includes the use of a casket, a burialplot, and grave-marking tombstone or memorial. The human remains areprepared for burial, entombment or inurement, placed in a casket orcinerary urn, and either lowered into the ground, entombed in amausoleum, inurned in a columbarium or the like. A gravestone ormemorial is placed on top of or affixed to the burial or memorial siteto mark where the deceased is located or memorialized. Cemeteries andmemorial parks typically are parks with trees, grass, and otherpark-like structures. Some cemeteries are located on church grounds orother holy sites. In some instances, cremation remains may also beplaced at these similar locations.

However, few significant developments have been made within thecremation, cemetery, and funeral industries for improving servicesavailable to customers during searching for and purchasing of cemeteryproperty. In the real estate industry, for example, many properties arelisted for sale online, and customers may perform map-based searches andview information pertaining to various properties. In the case ofcemetery properties, little information beyond the locations of variouscemeteries and the like is available online. Such a lack of informationavailability not only hinders optimal purchasing decisions, thusreducing the quality of service available to customers, but also limitspotential sales within the cemetery, cremation, and funeral industries.

What is needed, therefore, is a mobile and online system for geospatialproperty listing data, dynamic interactive data visualizations, anddynamic pricing for use as a sales tool within the cemetery, cremation,and funeral industries. Provided herein are systems and methods thatmeet the foregoing needs.

SUMMARY

Provided herein in some embodiments is a cemetery geospatial mappingsystem including a mapping tools system, a host site, and a databaseserver system. The mapping tools system can include a component systemspackage including a mapping system configured to add GPS coordinates tocemetery properties by way of automated overlaying and mapping thecemetery properties onto satellite imagery with a mapping algorithm. Themapping system can be further configured to enable a multiplicity ofend-users to visually interact with information about the cemeteryproperties and manually adjust the automated overlaying and mapping ifneeded to adjust the GPS coordinates. The host site can be stored on anon-transient machine-readable medium of an application server system.The host site can be accessible to the multiplicity of end-users by wayof a communications network, and the host site can be configured toprovide the multiplicity of end-users with access to the mapping toolssystem by way of an interface. The database server system can include anon-transient machine-readable medium for storing information neededduring the operation of the mapping tools system.

These and other features provided herein can be better understood withreference to the drawings, description, and claims, all of which formthe disclosure of this patent application.

DRAWINGS

The drawings refer to embodiments of the present disclosure in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustrating a cemetery geospatial mapping systemin accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustrating automated overlaying/mapping a groupof cemetery properties in a cemetery section over satellite imagery inaccordance with some embodiments.

While the present disclosure is subject to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by wayof example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. Theinvention should be understood to not be limited to the particular formsdisclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover allmodifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spiritand scope of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. Itwill be apparent, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art that theinvention disclosed herein may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, specific numeric references such as “firstproperty,” may be made. However, the specific numeric reference shouldnot be interpreted as a literal sequential order but rather interpretedthat the “first property” is different than a “second property.” Thus,the specific details set forth are merely exemplary. The specificdetails may be varied from and still be contemplated to be within thespirit and scope of the present disclosure. The term “coupled” includesone component connected either directly to another component orindirectly to the other component through one or more interveningcomponents. The terms “about,” “approximately,” or “substantially” forany numerical values or ranges indicate a suitable dimensional tolerancethat allows the part or collection of components to function for itsintended purpose as described herein. The term “property,” for example,“cemetery property,” can include in-ground cemetery properties such asgraves, as well as properties in buildings such as mausoleums andcrypts. Properties including columbarium niches and the like forinurnment are also included in the foregoing properties.

In general, the present disclosure describes a cemetery geospatialmapping system and methods for interactive map-based searching ofcemetery properties within the cemetery, cremation, and funeralindustries. The cemetery geospatial mapping system comprises a mappingtools system which includes a component systems package. The componentsystems package comprises a mapping system configured to enable amultiplicity of end-users to add GPS coordinates to cemetery propertyrecords, automate mapping, and overlaying the cemetery properties ontosatellite imagery basemaps, and enable the end-users to visuallyinteract with information about the cemetery properties. A dynamicpricing system is configured to use machine-learning algorithms toanalyze data so as to provide the multiplicity of end-users with anoptimal price recommendation for each property and unit of inventory.The dynamic pricing system may be configured to maximize profits basedon predefined characteristics associated with the properties (e.g.,physical location, risks associated with adverse natural events, etc.),units of inventory, pre-need pricing, at-need pricing, and the like. Ahost site is accessible to the multiplicity of end-users by way of acommunications network, such as the Internet. The host site is stored ona non-transient machine-readable medium of an application server systemand configured to provide the multiplicity of end-users with access tothe mapping tools system by way of an interface. A database serversystem comprises a non-transient machine-readable medium for storinginformation needed during the operation of the mapping tools system.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a cemeterygeospatial mapping system 100 in accordance with the present invention.The cemetery geospatial mapping system 100 comprises a mapping toolssystem 104 stored on a non-transient machine-readable medium (i.e., amemory) of an application server system 108. The cemetery geo spatialmapping system 100 further comprises a database server system 110 whichstores any information or data that may be needed during the operationof the mapping tools system 104.

The mapping tools system 104 further comprises an interface 112 whichprovides access to a component systems package 116. As illustrated inFIG. 1, a host site 120 provides a multiplicity of end-users 124 accessto the application server system 108 by way of a communications network,such as the Internet. It is envisioned that a portion of themultiplicity of end-users 124 may comprise cemetery personnel wishing tolist cemetery properties for sale to an online audience. A remainingportion of the end-users 124 may be potential customers in the marketfor services within the cemetery, cremation, and funeral industries.Preferably, each of the end-users 124 creates a user profile byutilizing applications stored on the memory of the application serversystem 108 and the services provided by the mapping tools system 104.

In one embodiment, the component systems package 116 is stored on thememory of the application server system 108, and the interface 112 is asoftware application which comprises a portion of the mapping toolssystem 104, thereby providing access to the component systems package116. In another embodiment, the component systems package 116 may bestored on the memory of the database server system 110, and theinterface 112 enables interaction between the application server system108 and the component systems package 116 on the database server system110. In another embodiment, the component systems package 116 may beservices operated by one or more third-party service providers. In thisembodiment, the interface 112 may comprise a connection over thecommunications network, such as an Internet connection, whereby theapplication server system 108 may send requests to, and receive servicesfrom the one or more third-party service providers.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the component systems package116 comprises services that are provided to the end-users 124,including, but not necessarily limited to a mapping system 128, asearching system 132, an interactive data system 136, and a dynamicpricing system 140. As described herein, the cemetery geospatial mappingsystem 100 generally provides the end-users 124 with automated mappingof cemetery properties, map-based searching, visual property selection,and dynamic pricing so as to optimize price, maximize profitability andenhance the customer experience of the end-users 124 within thecemetery, cremation, and funeral industries.

The mapping system 128 comprises an interface that enables the end-users124, preferably cemetery personnel, to add GPS coordinates to cemeteryproperty records (e.g., graves) by way of automated overlaying of thesecemetery properties onto the latest satellite imagery. As will beappreciated, a cemetery section may be defined as a group of propertiesarranged into a grid. The mapping system 128 includes algorithmsconfigured to optimally position cemetery properties in their correctlocations within a cemetery section. The mapping system 128 isconfigured to utilize several different property address schemes for thepurpose of overlaying the properties. In some embodiments, however, whenthe addressing scheme of a particular section does not include enoughinformation for an automated layout of properties within the section,the mapping system 128 may prompt the end-user 124 for additionalinformation. As such, the mapping system 128 comprises various toolsthat enable the end-user 124 to input additional information needed toposition the properties within the section. Further, it will beappreciated, that not all cemetery properties are arranged intorectangular grids. To this end, in one embodiment, the mapping system128 comprises tools whereby the end-users 124 may create curves so as tolayout properties within curved sections.

In some embodiments, the mapping system 128 includes features thatfacilitate moving one or more properties, or one or more sections, so asto facilitate simultaneously overlaying a great number of cemeteryproperty records onto satellite imagery. The features included withinthe mapping system 128 enable the end-users 124 to rotate properties aswell as to translate the properties in cardinal directions. In oneembodiment, the cardinal directions may comprise north, south, east, andwest. In one embodiment, the cardinal directions may be advantageouslyaligned with a particular section of property, such as a rectangulargrid.

Adverting briefly to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 is a schematic illustrating anexample of automated overlaying/mapping a group of cemetery propertiesin a cemetery section over satellite imagery. As shown, the mappingsystem 128 can automatically overlay a cemetery section 210 includingone or more cemetery properties (e.g., graves) such as cemetery property212 onto satellite imagery 220 to provide a map 230 including thecemetery section 210 and the one or more cemetery properties thereof onthe satellite imagery 220. One or more GPS coordinates such as the GPScoordinates 37.498653, −122.369480 shown for the cemetery property 212can be automatically added to the one or more cemetery properties inaccordance with the GPS coordinates of the satellite imagery 220. Again,should the addressing scheme for a particular cemetery section notinclude enough information for an automated layout of the one or morecemetery properties within the particular cemetery section, the mappingsystem 128 can prompt the end-user 124 for manual adjustment of theautomated layout. Manual adjustment can be through additionalinformation provided by the end-user 124. Manual adjustment canadditionally or alternatively be through on-screen manipulations by theend-user 124 such as moving the cemetery section 210 or the one or morecemetery properties thereof with a drag-and-drop gesture (e.g., usingthe end-user's finger; a pointing device such as a mouse; etc.).

Once the properties have been overlaid onto satellite imagery, GPScoordinates for each property may be saved with the property record andstored on the memory of the database server system 110. As will berecognized, a rectangular property typically requires a set of four GPScoordinates. In the case of properties comprising nonrectangular shapes,such as polygons, triangles, ellipses, circles, and the like, themapping system 128 comprises one or more algorithms configured tofacilitate automated overlaying of properties comprising irregularboundaries. In some embodiments, the mapping system 128 comprises toolsthat enable the end-users 124 to manually outline the properties. In oneembodiment, all GPS coordinates associated with a polygonal property maybe saved to the property record in the database server system 110. Inone embodiment, one GPS coordinate associated with the center of acircular property may be saved to the property record in the databaseserver system 110.

The mapping system 128 preferably incorporates various easements, gaps,strips, and gores (e.g., triangular or odd-shaped strips of land)existing within cemetery sections during overlaying cemetery properties.In some embodiments, however, the mapping system 128 may enable theend-users 124 to create and apply easements, gaps, and gores into thesections, as needed. In some embodiments, the mapping system 128comprises one or more algorithms configured to maintain the rectangulardimensions of properties adjoining curved property lines, curvedright-of-way lines, as well as easement lines. For example, duringoverlaying a property grid that adjoins a curved right-of-way line, themapping system 128 maintains the grid and the dimensions of theproperties comprising the grid, such as the width and height dimensionsof each of the properties, while the end-user 124 rotates and translatesthe grid relative to the right-of-way line, as needed. Further, where aproperty grid adjoins a curved property line or a curved right-of-wayline, the mapping system 128 ensures that the property grid remainsadjoined to the property line or right-of-way during user-inducedrotations and translations without an introduction of gaps or goresthere between. Further still, the mapping system 128 prevents anencroachment of individual properties onto easements, as well aspreventing an introduction of gaps or gores between easement parcels andthe property grid during rotating and translating thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the mapping system 128 utilizes one or moreBezier curve algorithms to accommodate curved property lines, curvedparcels lines, curved right-of-way lines, curved easement lines, and thelike, based on a specified number of control points. In one embodiment,the Bezier curve algorithm may be implemented by computing a specificrow in Pascal's triangle, by way of a custom-n choose-k algorithm, andthen using the resultant values as coefficients in the Bezier curvealgorithm. The Bezier curve may be mapped by receiving a set of controlpoints, or markers, input by the end-user 124 and then parameterizinglines between subsequent control points. In one embodiment, each of thelines is divided into 100 equidistant segments, by way of a parameter t,thereby forming a set of 100 points, such as, by way of non-limitingexample, P1=Bezier(0.01, controlPoints), P2=Bezier(0.02, controlPoints),. . . P100=Bezier(1.0, controlPoints). The set of 100 points, P1 . . .P100, may then be used to create a polyline that is visible to theend-user 124.

In some embodiments, Bezier curves may be parameterized by stackingproperties from a first control point along a curve based on a width ofthe properties input by the end-user 124. In one embodiment, the mappingsystem 128 comprises an algorithm that may begin by putting P0=Bezier(0,controlPoints), setting tMin=0, tMax=1, and t=(tMin+tMax)/2. The mappingsystem 128 may then put P1=Bezier(t, controlPoints) and then compare thedistance between P0 and P1 with the width of the property input by theend-user 124. If the distance is greater than the property width, thenthe mapping system 128 puts tMax=t. Alternatively, if the distance isless than the property width, the mapping system 128 sets tMin=t. It isenvisioned that the mapping system 128 repeatedly performs the abovesteps until the following statement is found to be true:absolute_value(distance(P0, P1)−propertyWidth)<0.01, at which point themapping system 128 then moves on to the next property input by theend-user 124. The mapping system 128 may perform the above steps untiln-many points are generated, wherein n=a number of properties to mapalong the curve. In some embodiments, inputs are tweaked by the mappingsystem 128 during each run of the algorithm to generate a new point Pk,wherein Pk−1 is taken as a starting point, tMin is a parameter used togenerate Pk−1, and tMax is estimated to be the difference between tk−1and tk−2 (which are used to compute Pk−1 and Pk−2). In anotherembodiment, the mapping system 128 may further determine whether or nottMax is indeed a true maximum. If tMax is found to be not a truemaximum, then the mapping system 128 puts tMin=tMax andtMax=tMax+(tMax−tMin) before performing the steps discussed above.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that during mapping aBezier curve, it is advantageous to compute the tangent and the normalto the curve for each of the control points. In some embodiments, themapping system 128 determines the tangent and normal for each of then-many points discussed above. To this end, the mapping system 128 maybe configured to calculate the derivative of a Bezier curve of arbitrarydegree, for any number of control points. As will be appreciated,performing the derivative of a Bezier curve of degree d produces aBezier curve of degree d−1. Thus, for each control point, k, the mappingsystem 128 performs a computation of the form:Gradient=BezierDerivative(tk, controlPoints), wherein Gradient is avector of derivatives, given by <dx, dy>. Then, upon taking a samplepoint S=(Sx, Sy) in the area, which may be the original control point,k, the mapping system 128 may compute a second point of the form:S2=(Sx+dx, Sy+dy). The tangent to the curve may then be obtained bycomputing an azimuthal bearing from point S to point S2. The mappingsystem 128 may obtain the normal to the curved by adding 90 degrees tothe azimuthal bearing.

In some embodiments, the above-discussed n-many points may be used torepresent midpoints, Pk, positioned at the top of each cemeteryproperty. Thus, for each of the k-many cemetery properties, the mappingsystem 128 may use the midpoint Pk at the top of the property todetermine the corner points for the cemetery property. For example, inthe case of a rectangular shaped property, the mapping system 128 maycompute the corner points nearest the midpoint by way ofPk′=LocationOf(Pk, PropertyWidth/2, -tangent) and Pk″=LocationOf(Pk,PropertyWidth/2, tangent), wherein LocationOf is a geometric algorithmconfigured to extrapolate a geometric point positioned a given distancealong a bearing from an initial point. With the corner points Pk′ andPk″ determined, the mapping system 128 may compute the opposite cornerpoints by way of Pk″=LocationOf(Pk′, PropertyLength, normal) andPk″″=LocationOf(Pk″, PropertyLength, normal). Once all the corner pointshave been determined for the cemetery property, the mapping system 128may then draw a polyline anchored to the points, Pk′→Pk″→Pk′″→Pk″″→Pk′,such that the rectangular cemetery property is overlaid onto satelliteimagery and visible to the end-user 124. Preferably, the corner pointsof the cemetery property are then converted into geographical locationshaving latitude and longitude coordinates that are overlaid onto thesatellite image.

Moreover, although the cemetery geospatial mapping system 100 generallyis configured to operate in an online environment, by way of thecommunications network, in some embodiments an Offline Mode is providedto the end-users 124. The Offline Mode is configured to enable theend-users 124 to perform one or more of the above-discussed operationsby way of a mobile device or a computer while disconnected from thecommunications network.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the searching system 132 is configured toprovide map-based searching tools to the end-users 124, preferablycustomers seeking services within the cemetery, cremation, and funeralindustries. In some embodiments, the searching system 132 facilitatesvisual property selection in which the end-users 124 may select acemetery property by clicking with a pointing device, such as a mouse orstylus, within the property overlaying the satellite imagery. In someembodiments, the searching system 132 is configured to provide customvector tile maps so as to render higher zoomed images more quickly whilerequiring relatively little storage space. In some embodiments, thesearching system 132 may be configured to provide filtering wherebysearch results are limited by way of various user-selected properties,such as type of cemetery property, price, availability status, propertyfeatures, and the like. Further, the searching system 132 may beconfigured to incorporate a searching bias, whereby search results maybe prioritized based on at least proximity to the selected cemeteryproperty or similarity to other properties.

The interactive data system 136 is configured to enable the end-users124 to interact with the map-based information displayed by way of themapping system 128. For example, the interactive data system 136 may beconfigured to provide the end-users 124 with directions, such as, by wayof non-limiting example, a shortest walking path through a cemetery byusing sidewalks and private roads to access selected gravesites, othermemorialization property, buildings and facilities. In some embodiments,the interactive data system 136 may be configured to provide dynamicbuildings, such as by way of example, highlighting mausoleums,columbaria, funeral homes, and the like, so as to provide interactivityto the end-users 124. In some embodiments, the interactive data system136 may incorporate highlighted sections and polygons overlayingcemetery base-maps so as to enable the end-users 124 to search forspecific cemetery properties within a section. Further, the interactivedata system 136 may be configured to provide dynamic heat mapscomprising visual data associated with various cemetery properties, suchas sales volume and trend analysis, pricing, popularity, and the like.

The dynamic pricing system 140 is an artificial intelligence systemconfigured to use machine-learning algorithms to analyze and modelstatistical data using regression methods, instance-based learning,Bayesian inference, and other methods, so as to provide to the end-users124 an optimal price recommendation for each property and unit ofinventory, such that optimal revenue for cemetery property listings isgenerated. For example, the dynamic pricing system 140 may be configuredto help a cemetery charge more during periods of high demand, as well ascapturing an optimal amount of sales transactions during periods ofrelatively little demand. In some embodiments, dynamic pricing may beconfigured to maximize profits based on at least similarity, such asproperty type, square footage, capacity, recent sales, proximity sales,pricing, location, proximity to natural or man-made features, risksassociated with adverse natural events, and other signals of the like.In some embodiments, the dynamic pricing system 140 may be configured toautomatically refine the weight the tool gives to these signals,checking price tips against outcomes and changing conditions of supply,demand, and the like, to ultimately learn and improve its ability torecommend optimal pricing. As will be appreciated, the characteristic ofeach property may be stored in the database server system 110. In oneembodiment, the dynamic pricing system 140 is configured to allow theuser to influence the computer's thought process by enabling cemeterypersonnel to manually set the price of each cemetery property within thedatabase server system 110.

As such, provided herein in some embodiments is a cemetery geospatialmapping system including a mapping tools system, a host site, and adatabase server system. The mapping tools system can include a componentsystems package including a mapping system configured to add GPScoordinates to cemetery properties by way of automated overlaying andmapping the cemetery properties onto satellite imagery with a mappingalgorithm. The mapping system can be further configured to enable amultiplicity of end-users to visually interact with information aboutthe cemetery properties and manually adjust the automated overlaying andmapping if needed to adjust the GPS coordinates. The host site can bestored on a non-transient machine-readable medium of an applicationserver system. The host site can be accessible to the multiplicity ofend-users by way of a communications network, and the host site can beconfigured to provide the multiplicity of end-users with access to themapping tools system by way of an interface. The database server systemcan include a non-transient machine-readable medium for storinginformation needed during the operation of the mapping tools system.

In some embodiments of the cemetery geospatial mapping system, thecomponent systems package is stored on a memory of the applicationserver system, and the interface is a software application thatcomprises a portion of the mapping tools system and provides access tothe component systems package. In some embodiments, the componentsystems package is stored on a memory of the database server system, andthe interface provides communication between the application serversystem and the component systems package on the database server system.In some embodiments, the component systems package comprises one or moreservices operated by one or more third-party service providers, and theinterface comprises a connection over the communications network,whereby the application server system sends requests to, and receivesservices from, the one or more third-party service providers. In someembodiments, the mapping system is configured to optimally position thecemetery properties in their correct locations within a cemetery sectioncomprising a group of the cemetery properties arranged into a grid. Insome embodiments, the mapping system is configured to utilize severaldifferent property address schemes coupled with additional input by themultiplicity of end-users. In some embodiments, the mapping system isconfigured to facilitate an end-user simultaneously overlaying one ormore cemetery property records onto the satellite imagery. In someembodiments, the mapping system enables rotating and translating of theone or more cemetery properties in cardinal directions. In someembodiments, the mapping system is configured to use one or more Beziercurve algorithms to accommodate curved property lines, curved parcelslines, curved right-of-way lines, or curved easement lines, based on aspecified number of control points. In some embodiments, the mappingsystem is configured to use a midpoint at the top of the cemeteryproperty to determine the corner points for the cemetery property. Insome embodiments, the mapping system is configured to display a polylineanchored to the corner points, such that the cemetery property isvisibly overlaid onto the satellite imagery. In some embodiments, themapping system is configured to associate geographical locations withthe corner points, the geographical locations comprising latitude andlongitude coordinates that are determined by way of the satelliteimagery. In some embodiments, the component systems package comprises asearching system, an interactive data system, and a dynamic pricingsystem. In some embodiments, the searching system is configured toprovide interactive map-based searching of cemetery properties andvisual property selection whereby one or more cemetery properties isselected by clicking with a pointing device within the one or morecemetery properties overlaying the satellite imagery. In someembodiments, the searching system is configured to incorporate asearching bias, whereby search results may be prioritized based on atleast proximity to a selected cemetery property. In some embodiments,the interactive data system is configured to provide dynamic heat mapscomprising visual data associated with selected cemetery properties anddata sets. In some embodiments, the dynamic pricing system is configuredto use machine-learning algorithms to analyze data so as to provide anoptimal price for each cemetery property and unit of inventory. In someembodiments, the dynamic pricing system is configured to maximizeprofits based on one or more predefined characteristics associated witheach property and unit of inventory.

While the invention has been described in terms of particular variationsand illustrative figures, those of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize that the invention is not limited to the variations or figuresdescribed. In addition, where methods and steps described above indicatecertain events occurring in certain order, those of ordinary skill inthe art will recognize that the ordering of certain steps may bemodified and that such modifications are in accordance with thevariations of the invention. Additionally, certain of the steps may beperformed concurrently in a parallel process when possible, as well asperformed sequentially as described above. To the extent there arevariations of the invention, which are within the spirit of thedisclosure or equivalent to the inventions found in the claims, it isthe intent that this patent will cover those variations as well.Therefore, the present disclosure is to be understood as not limited bythe specific embodiments described herein, but only by scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cemetery geospatial mapping system, comprising:a mapping tools system comprising a component systems package includinga mapping system configured to add GPS coordinates to cemeteryproperties by way of automated overlaying and mapping the cemeteryproperties onto satellite imagery with a mapping algorithm, wherein themapping system is further configured to enable a multiplicity ofend-users to visually interact with information about the cemeteryproperties and manually adjust the automated overlaying and mapping ifneeded to adjust the GPS coordinates; a host site accessible to themultiplicity of end-users by way of a communications network, the hostsite being stored on a non-transient machine-readable medium of anapplication server system and configured to provide the multiplicity ofend-users with access to the mapping tools system by way of aninterface; and a database server system comprising a non-transientmachine-readable medium for storing information needed during theoperation of the mapping tools system.
 2. The cemetery geospatialmapping system of claim 1, wherein the component systems package isstored on a memory of the application server system, the interface beinga software application that comprises a portion of the mapping toolssystem and provides access to the component systems package.
 3. Thecemetery geospatial mapping system of claim 1, wherein the componentsystems package is stored on a memory of the database server system, theinterface providing communication between the application server systemand the component systems package on the database server system.
 4. Thecemetery geospatial mapping system of claim 1, wherein the componentsystems package comprises one or more services operated by one or morethird-party service providers, and wherein the interface comprises aconnection over the communications network, whereby the applicationserver system sends requests to, and receives services from, the one ormore third-party service providers.
 5. The cemetery geospatial mappingsystem of claim 1, wherein the mapping system is configured to optimallyposition the cemetery properties in their correct locations within acemetery section comprising a group of the cemetery properties arrangedinto a grid, and wherein the mapping system is configured to utilizeseveral different property address schemes coupled with additional inputby the multiplicity of end-users.
 6. The cemetery geospatial mappingsystem of claim 1, wherein the mapping system is configured tofacilitate an end-user simultaneously overlaying one or more cemeteryproperty records onto the satellite imagery, and wherein the mappingsystem enables rotating and translating of the one or more cemeteryproperties in cardinal directions.
 7. The cemetery geospatial mappingsystem of claim 1, wherein the mapping system is configured to use oneor more Bezier curve algorithms to accommodate curved property lines,curved parcels lines, curved right-of-way lines, or curved easementlines, based on a specified number of control points.
 8. The cemeterygeospatial mapping system of claim 1, wherein the mapping system isconfigured to use a midpoint at the top of the cemetery property todetermine the corner points for the cemetery property.
 9. The cemeterygeospatial mapping system of claim 8, wherein the mapping system isconfigured to display a polyline anchored to the corner points, suchthat the cemetery property is visibly overlaid onto the satelliteimagery, and wherein the mapping system is configured to associategeographical locations with the corner points, the geographicallocations comprising latitude and longitude coordinates that aredetermined by way of the satellite imagery.
 10. The cemetery geospatialmapping system of claim 1, wherein the component systems packagecomprises a searching system, an interactive data system, and a dynamicpricing system.
 11. The cemetery geospatial mapping system of claim 10,wherein the searching system is configured to provide interactivemap-based searching of cemetery properties and visual property selectionwhereby one or more cemetery properties is selected by clicking with apointing device within the one or more cemetery properties overlayingthe satellite imagery, and wherein the searching system is configured toincorporate a searching bias, whereby search results may be prioritizedbased on at least proximity to a selected cemetery property.
 12. Thecemetery geospatial mapping system of claim 10, wherein the interactivedata system is configured to provide dynamic heat maps comprising visualdata associated with selected cemetery properties and data sets.
 13. Thecemetery geospatial mapping system of claim 10, wherein the dynamicpricing system is configured to use machine-learning algorithms toanalyze data so as to provide an optimal price for each cemeteryproperty and unit of inventory, and wherein the dynamic pricing systemis configured to maximize profits based on one or more predefinedcharacteristics associated with each property and unit of inventory. 14.A cemetery geospatial mapping system, comprising: a mapping tools systemcomprising a component systems package including a mapping systemconfigured to add GPS coordinates to cemetery property records by way ofautomated overlaying and mapping the cemetery properties onto satelliteimagery with a mapping algorithm, wherein the mapping system is furtherconfigured to enable a multiplicity of end-users to visually interactwith information about the cemetery properties and manually adjust theautomated overlaying and mapping if needed to adjust the GPScoordinates, and wherein the component systems package comprises asearching system, an interactive data system, and a dynamic pricingsystem; a host site accessible to the multiplicity of end-users by wayof a communications network, the host site being stored on anon-transient machine-readable medium of an application server systemand configured to provide the multiplicity of end-users with access tothe mapping tools system by way of an interface; and a database serversystem comprising a non-transient machine-readable medium for storinginformation needed during the operation of the mapping tools system. 15.The cemetery geospatial mapping system of claim 14, wherein theinterface is i) a software application that comprises a portion of themapping tools system and provides access to the component systemspackage, ii) a communication provider between the application serversystem and the component systems package on the database server system,or iii) a connection over the communications network, whereby theapplication server system sends requests to, and receives services from,the one or more third-party service providers.
 16. The cemeterygeospatial mapping system of claim 15, wherein the searching system isconfigured to provide interactive map-based searching of cemeteryproperties and visual property selection whereby one or more cemeteryproperties is selected by clicking with a pointing device within the oneor more cemetery properties overlaying the satellite imagery, andwherein the searching system is configured to incorporate a searchingbias, whereby search results may be prioritized based on at leastproximity to a selected cemetery property.
 17. The cemetery geospatialmapping system of claim 15, wherein the interactive data system isconfigured to provide dynamic heat maps comprising visual dataassociated with selected cemetery properties and data sets.
 18. Thecemetery geospatial mapping system of claim 15, wherein the dynamicpricing system is configured to use machine-learning algorithms toanalyze data so as to provide an optimal price for each cemeteryproperty and unit of inventory, and wherein the dynamic pricing systemis configured to maximize profits based on one or more predefinedcharacteristics associated with each property and unit of inventory. 19.A cemetery geospatial mapping system, comprising: a mapping tools systemcomprising a component systems package including a mapping systemconfigured to add GPS coordinates to cemetery property records by way ofautomated overlaying and mapping the cemetery properties onto satelliteimagery with a mapping algorithm, wherein the mapping system is furtherconfigured to enable a multiplicity of end-users to visually interactwith information about the cemetery properties and manually adjust theautomated overlaying and mapping to adjust the GPS coordinates, whereinthe component systems package comprises a searching system, aninteractive data system, and a dynamic pricing system, wherein thesearching system is configured to provide interactive map-basedsearching of cemetery properties and visual property selection wherebyone or more cemetery properties is selected by clicking with a pointingdevice within the one or more cemetery properties overlaying thesatellite imagery, wherein the interactive data system is configured toprovide dynamic heat maps comprising visual data associated withselected cemetery properties and data sets, and wherein the dynamicpricing system is configured to use machine-learning algorithms toanalyze data so as to provide an optimal price for each cemeteryproperty and unit of inventory; a host site accessible to themultiplicity of end-users by way of a communications network, the hostsite being stored on a non-transient machine-readable medium of anapplication server system and configured to provide the multiplicity ofend-users with access to the mapping tools system by way of aninterface; and a database server system comprising a non-transientmachine-readable medium for storing information needed during theoperation of the mapping tools system.
 20. The cemetery geospatialmapping system of claim 19, wherein the mapping system is configured tofacilitate an end-user simultaneously overlaying one or more cemeteryproperty records onto the satellite imagery, and wherein the mappingsystem enables rotating and translating of the one or more cemeteryproperties in cardinal directions.